A Social Constructionist Approach to Theorizing Child Welfare

Abstract

In this article the author describes a course that she developed to theorize social work practice in child welfare using a social constructionist approach. The author tells how she defined social constructionism, introduced it to the class, and encouraged a deconstruction of theories and models used to make meaning of situations typically brought to the attention of social workers in child welfare settings. The author provides an example by deconstructing attachment theory, showing the relationship between language shifts in the theory over time and the work history of white middle-class women. From this consideration, the author suggests ways to approach accepted theories and reconstruct practice to better serve those subject to their use.

Key Words:

• Social constructionism
• child welfare
• deconstruction
• postmodernism
• attachment theory
• practice